Susan L.
Watertown, MA
Susan L. has Star Sitter status
The Star Sitter program highlights responsive sitters who deliver highly rated care and have a history of listing accurate availability and preferences, making it easier for pet parents to find the best care for their pets.
A Safe, Welcoming Other Home!
Pet care experience
For 24 years I had my own dog daycare and grooming business in Northborough, MA., and my appreciation of my canine friends increases all the time. Now I do dog daycare and boarding in the comfort of my home in Watertown, where I will welcome your and your canine family member's visit. Years of caring for dogs have given me a solid sense of how to get to know your dog without unsettling him or her - when to jump in and when to back off. Once they relax, I can cater to their needs and preferences according to your wishes. While you're away, we'll play, cuddle, exercise, and eat our meals per your instructions. I'll send you pictures and updates. Whether your dog likes to run around, play, dash outside, or just cuddle indoors, I'm happy to oblige. Before I started my dog daycare, I was an associate professor at UMass, Boston where I taught French and Women's studies. After that, I was a Human Resources Manager at Digital Equipment Corporation. When Digital was sold, I asked for a severance package to start the business of my dreams: a dog daycare. When not dog sitting, I write detective fiction. I also belong to the Harvard Institute for Learning in Retirement where I teach and take courses. A climate activist, I work with Watertown Faces Climate Change, lobbying to reduce our city's carbon footprint. Though my activities keep me busy, dog care is my primary commitment and my highest priority. When I agree to work for you and your fur child, you have my undivided attention. I look forward to meeting you and your dog! I work from home and have lots of time for your fur baby. When I'm not giving her or him attention, they'll be with me while I read, write, do chores and house/yard work, and talk to visiting friends. Occasionally, I run an errand, so you should tell me if you prefer that I take your pup with me in the car, or leave them in my home. I'm never gone more than half an hour, and I never leave dogs alone in my car, regardless of the weather. If I cannot take them inside with me, I don't do the errand. I will surround your dog with attention, love, and gentle care. I'm patient, and I almost always understand why a dog does what he or she does. As for activities, please see the description of our routine.
Reviews
Susan is absolutely the best!!!
Susan is a warm and caring person, her home is set up perfectly for visiting dogs, she has a shady patio and back yard for outdoor time. Alice seemed to be very happy during her stay with Susan and I would recommend her to friends and re-book with her myself.
Really appreciate the care and attention that Gabby received during her week-long stay. Gabby was clearly well-cared for and the daily updates/pictures helped us relax during our vacation, knowing that Gabby was in good hands. Thank you Susan!
Susan was an excellent pup sitter!! Peaches enjoyed staying with Susan and arrived home healthy and very happy!! Thank you, Susan!
About Susan L.
Communication
Skills
Safety, trust & environment
I have a fenced-in yard that's large enough for 45-lb pups to race around after each other at top speed and varied enough for the little ones to snuffle around in the shrubbery and leaves to decipher the messages that our friends the rabbits and squirrels have left. Indoors, the pups have the run of four rooms to play with toys, wrestle one another or just hop up on the couch and snooze.
Home
Information Susan L. would like to know about your pet
I ask that you and your pup visit us before you book. I'll show you the house and yard and talk about what our daycare and boarding is like. Apart from that: *I don*t accept dogs that have bitten a person or another dog. * Your dog must be crate-trained if he or she is boarding. He or she should not fuss or bark when crated. Everyone sleeps crated in the bedroom with me. * Proof of current rabies and distemper vaccinations. * Minimum age is 16 weeks,and all puppy vaccinations must have been completed no less than ten days prior to your first visit. * Dogs over 6 months must be spayed or neutered. Apologies, but I can't accept intact adults. * I recommend but don't require kennel cough, lyme and canine influenza vaccinations. * Please have a fecal test done if he/she hasn't had one in over six months. No vet visit required, just take in a sample. *Flea & tick prevention required between March and November.
A typical day
We get up about 7 am, and immediately go outside for a quick bio break. Then we have breakfast. Between 8 and 9:30 am, any scheduled daycare pups arrive. We go outside after breakfast to the fenced-in yard and in good weather we stay for a while to run around and play. Having geared ourselves up for the day, we go inside and the dogs play with toys or chew on a bone while Susan drinks coffee and does her computer work. About every two hours we go outside to play fetch in the yard,; we'll throw and tug toys indoors; play find-the-treat behind and under thin;; and we'll cuddle on the couch. In season, he/she will hang out in the yard with me as I putter in the garden or just enjoy the porch. In the winter, we'll play in the snow (when there is any,) catching snowballs in the air and digging for treats. When no snow, we also like to trot around the periphery of the yard for exercise. About noon, I give treats (yours or mine) and we all settle down in the living room to rest. At one pm, we start up again. The daycare dogs' parents pick up their kids between 4 pm and 6 pm. Dinner and walking around in the yard are at 6 pm and bedtime is about 11. There are always bowls of recently refreshed cold water in the kitchen and on the backporch.
Services
Susan can host
Availability
I'm retired except for my dog sitting gigs which I enjoy more than I ever did fulltime employment. I have plenty of time to throw toys, play tug-of-war, or sit and snuggle with your pup.
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About Susan L.
Communication
Skills
Safety, trust & environment
I have a fenced-in yard that's large enough for 45-lb pups to race around after each other at top speed and varied enough for the little ones to snuffle around in the shrubbery and leaves to decipher the messages that our friends the rabbits and squirrels have left. Indoors, the pups have the run of four rooms to play with toys, wrestle one another or just hop up on the couch and snooze.
Home
Information Susan L. would like to know about your pet
I ask that you and your pup visit us before you book. I'll show you the house and yard and talk about what our daycare and boarding is like. Apart from that: *I don*t accept dogs that have bitten a person or another dog. * Your dog must be crate-trained if he or she is boarding. He or she should not fuss or bark when crated. Everyone sleeps crated in the bedroom with me. * Proof of current rabies and distemper vaccinations. * Minimum age is 16 weeks,and all puppy vaccinations must have been completed no less than ten days prior to your first visit. * Dogs over 6 months must be spayed or neutered. Apologies, but I can't accept intact adults. * I recommend but don't require kennel cough, lyme and canine influenza vaccinations. * Please have a fecal test done if he/she hasn't had one in over six months. No vet visit required, just take in a sample. *Flea & tick prevention required between March and November.
A typical day
We get up about 7 am, and immediately go outside for a quick bio break. Then we have breakfast. Between 8 and 9:30 am, any scheduled daycare pups arrive. We go outside after breakfast to the fenced-in yard and in good weather we stay for a while to run around and play. Having geared ourselves up for the day, we go inside and the dogs play with toys or chew on a bone while Susan drinks coffee and does her computer work. About every two hours we go outside to play fetch in the yard,; we'll throw and tug toys indoors; play find-the-treat behind and under thin;; and we'll cuddle on the couch. In season, he/she will hang out in the yard with me as I putter in the garden or just enjoy the porch. In the winter, we'll play in the snow (when there is any,) catching snowballs in the air and digging for treats. When no snow, we also like to trot around the periphery of the yard for exercise. About noon, I give treats (yours or mine) and we all settle down in the living room to rest. At one pm, we start up again. The daycare dogs' parents pick up their kids between 4 pm and 6 pm. Dinner and walking around in the yard are at 6 pm and bedtime is about 11. There are always bowls of recently refreshed cold water in the kitchen and on the backporch.
Location
Watertown, MA
Susan L.
Watertown, MA